Inter Milan Set To Retain Head Coach & Italy Talisman Whilst Barcelona Push For Talented Defender

Inter Milan will begin the new campaign with familiar pillars in place, as the club has confirmed Cristian Chivu will remain head coach and plans to build the squad around midfielder Nicolo Barella. Despite lucrative approaches that would have tripled his wages, Barella has rejected every offer and is committed to the Nerazzurri through 2029, with fresh contract negotiations already under way to extend his deal that currently runs to 2028.

While the club’s leadership is eager to keep its core intact, uncertainty surrounds Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni. Barcelona are preparing to intensify their pursuit of the centre-back in the coming months, and sources close to the negotiations expect the Catalan club to test Inter’s resolve as the summer window approaches. The added pressure from Spain could complicate Inter’s efforts to tie Bastoni to a new long-term agreement.

Inter’s sporting department will, however, consider player sales in other areas to balance the books. Striker Marcus Thuram has been made available, with any fee for the forward representing pure profit on the club’s accounts. Similarly, Hakan Calhanoglu’s future remains open; should Galatasaray formalise a serious bid, Inter will weigh the offer carefully.

Incomings have already been mapped out, beginning with the return of Aleksandar Stankovic. The highly rated teenager will re-join the first-team setup ahead of next season, effectively becoming Inter’s first acquisition of the Chivu era and signalling the strategic direction the club intends to follow.